Voices of Creativity
Hear the artist share her journey, challenges, and definitions of success
Samineh Amel Sayyah
She was born in Tehran in 1983 and developed a passion for painting in early childhood. They later pursued studies in graphic art, painting, and clothing design, which led to an exploration of various artistic mediums, including sculpture and photography.
Their work is deeply conceptual, drawing inspiration from history, mythology, philosophy, and personal experiences. Central to their practice is the exploration of women, who serve as both subjects and symbols to address themes of identity, culture, and human experience. Through a combination of painting, sculpture, photography, and fashion design, She creates thought-provoking narratives that invite reflection.
She has exhibited their work in numerous international galleries and exhibitions, sharing their evolving artistic vision with a global audience.
Rebuilding Through Art: A Journey of Resilience and Creativity
From Childhood Sketches to a Lifelong Passion
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The artist's journey began in childhood, sketching and designing clothes for an imagined figure. Recognizing her potential, her parents enrolled her in art school, where she thrived in graphic design. A pivotal moment came when she won a poster design competition, sparking her commitment to the arts. This success set the foundation for a life dedicated to creativity.
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Navigating Challenges: Personal and Artistic
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Her path was not without hurdles. Life brought external challenges, including a difficult marriage, which led to an internal struggle of rebuilding her identity and self-confidence. Reflecting on this period, she shares, "I had to start again, remember who I was, and reignite my artistic journey. From the ashes of my existence, I had to be reborn." These experiences profoundly influenced her art, transforming pain and resilience into creativity. With the support of her daughter and family, she found hope and embraced the challenges of artistic expression as a source of beauty and growth.
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Transformative Evolution in Art
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Initially, her work was introspective and disconnected from the audience, often lacking titles or concepts. Over time, her style evolved to incorporate multiple mediums such as sewing, photography, and installations, weaving themes of identity, culture, and history. This evolution allowed her to connect more deeply with her audience and highlight women's voices, blending personal experiences with broader narratives.
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Triumphs and Achievements
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One of her proudest moments as an artist is standing before a completed painting—a triumph born of rigorous effort and passion. Her paintings, often filled with hundreds of unique faces, represent a labor of love and individuality. She describes this creative process as "a tough battle, transforming a blank canvas into a painting full of faces, each different from the other. When I finish the work, it’s a glorious moment for me." For her, the act of finishing a piece marks a significant personal achievement, underscoring her dedication to her craft.
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Wisdom Gained: Advice for Fellow Creatives
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Reflecting on her journey, the artist emphasizes resilience and authenticity. She advises emerging artists to remain true to their vision and inner voice, even in the face of setbacks. Art, she believes, is not only about the finished work but the transformative journey it represents. Balancing financial realities with creative integrity has been a cornerstone of her philosophy, demonstrating that artistic success lies in staying authentic while navigating external pressures.
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A Life Defined by Creativity
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For her, art transcends market expectations, rooted instead in personal expression and discovery. Her success is measured not by commercial recognition but by the ability to inspire and connect through meaningful work. As she continues her artistic journey, she exemplifies a commitment to both personal growth and contribution to the art world, proving that true creativity thrives in the face of life’s complexities.
Accusing the times is but excusing ourselves
This series reimagines the stories of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Sleeping Beauty, focusing on three key characters: a woman who puts another to sleep, a woman who falls into that slumber, and a man who awakens her. In my version, these characters represent different aspects of the same woman.
She embodies both the cruel, cunning side that puts her innocent, oppressed self to sleep, and creates a savior figure in her mind. However, the savior is not a man, but her own conscious conscience—genderless and transformative. The stories highlight the complex roles women play and the inner struggle for self-awareness and empowerment.
Yellow triangle
In this reimagined narrative, the woman is portrayed as embodying all three roles. With her evil, cruel, and cunning side, she puts her more innocent, submissive, and oppressed self to sleep. Her cleverness is evident when she creates a savior figure—modeled after the prince who rescues the sleeping princess in traditional tales. However, in this version, the savior is not a literal man, but rather the woman’s own conscious conscience—genderless and formless, a symbol of her inner awareness and transformation.
I am receiving embroidery training from my mother
What intrigued me about these stories is that two-thirds of the central characters are women. Through this exploration, I seek to highlight the complexities of female identity and the interplay between the various facets of the self—innocence, power, submission, and awakening. The tension between the sleep and the awakening in these stories mirrors the broader struggle for self-awareness and empowerment.
